Sverigeturism beschrijft
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Sweden's most northerly provinces Västerbotten and Norrbotten consist of approximately
1/3th of the total area of Sweden and are full of contrast; sea, coast, forests and mountains are
all found here. These provinces are full of opportunities for recreation and leisure in the wilderness.
You have all the large parks and national reserves with unspoiled nature to explore. The provinces are
also of vital interest in the development of Swedish industry and welfare because of the rich supply of
natural resources.

More than half of the mountains in Sweden are in these provinces.They are made for the nature-lovers.
The mountain regions in these provinces provide lots of opportunities to experience interesting flora and
fauna in their natural habitats.

While the mountains attract most people and have the most dramatic sceneries, the coastal area with
its extensive archipelago has stood in their shadow. Now however, many tourists are discovering the
charm of the coastal towns and the archipelago.

In Sweden, most of the country's rivers and falls have been harnessed to provide electricity power.
Four of the remaining rivers are still free to seek their own course from the mountains to the shore and
they are the Vindel-, Pite-, Kalix- and Torne Rivers. All four provide great opportunities for fishing
and rafting during the summer season.
While the natural resources in the provinces makes it a paradise for nature and wildlife-lovers, the
provinces as well have a developed and varied industry. Mining dominates the industrial production but
other industries are steadily growing. Especially in the communications and service sectors.

"The Laponian area is Europe's largest continuous area of virtually untouched
nature. It has steep mountain massifs and extensive mountain plains, glaciers,
mires, and primeval forests, torrential waterfalls and large mountain lakes.
In addition, it has a rich animal and plant life, with several endangered
species.

Laponia is the cultural landscape of the Saami people and
one of the last large wildernesses of Western Europe.The whole area comprises
9,400 square kilometres of great geological, ecological, and cultural
value with magnificent scenery."(bron: Riksantikvarieämbetet)

Nationale parken

The oldest and largest national parks in Sweden are to be found in Norrbotten.
Eight of Sweden's twenty-six national parks are located here. With the exception
of Muddus and the Haparanda archipelago, the national parks in the province
are in the mountain region. Together they cover over 6000 km², which means
that the national parks in Norrbotten count for 95 % of the area dedicated
to national parks in Sweden. The parks in the mountain region comprise 5500
km². Swedish laws protect their natural environment.

Vadvetjåkka National Park

Vadvetjåkka National Park north of the Torneträsk lake has a varied
flora in its meadows, forest and marsh areas.

Abisko National Park

The Abisko National Park has an abundance of plant species, a number
of them quite rare. Abisko is the national park that receives most visitors
in the province. Undoubtedly the deep canyon in Abisko is the biggest attraction.

Stora Sjöfallet National Park

The Stora Sjöfallet National Park is a high alpine park with arctic
characteristics. Large areas are devoid of vegetation, consisting of boulders,
snowfields and glaciers. In the park there is a primeval pine forest. However
the park has been damaged by hydroelectric power reservoirs.

Sarek National Park

Sarek is a high alpine park with arctic characteristics. Large areas
are devoid of vegetation, consisting of boulders, snowfields and glaciers.
No other Swedish area has so many majestic massifs and deep eroded valleys,
so many peaked mountains and large glaciers.

Muddus National Park

Muddus National Park is one of the country's most excellent virgin
forests. Many older pines show scars of forest fires that have affected the
landscape. There are also marsh areas here that have an abundance of birds.

Pieljekaise National Park

Björnlandet

Björnlandet ligt in de provincie Västerbotten.

Björnlandet is in Åsele Sami country - a magnificent wilderness and one of the most valuable virgin
forests in the country. Slopes and sheer cliffs break up the rolling mountain
terrain. The large amount of free boulders and piles of boulders is striking
to walkers. Traces of early forest fires can also be found here.

Visit the Parks

The rapidly changing weather and the steep topography make visiting
the mountain areas a challenge. The national parks are large wilderness areas
as well, and haven't been adapted much for visitors.

People without much experience in the mountains can, nonetheless,
visit parts of Abisko and Stora Sjöfallet. Throughout these national parks
there are actually roads and even small tourist localities with mountain hotels
inside the parks. These tourist facilities are good points of departure for
day outings in the surrounding national park area. Marked hiking trails such
as Kungsleden make hiking less difficult in Abisko and Stora Sjöfallet.

Likewise Muddus can be reached easily for day excursions from connecting
roads at the border of the park. In Muddus, if one wants to cover all the
things worth seeing, it would be good to plan a hike of several days duration
along the trail that has cabins in four different locations where one can
spend the night.

The smaller mountains parks of Vadvetjåkka and Pieljekaise are farther
away from the nearest road, and it will take at least two days to visit them.
The national park complex of Padjelanta, Sarek and the western part of Stora
Sjöfallet is more demanding for the visitors than the other parks. Sarek and
the adjacent part of Stora Sjöfallet is a difficult area. It lacks trails
and presents an almost impassable terrain, being subject to frequent rains.
This national park area should only be visited by people who are well-experienced
mountain hikers.

The terrain in Padjelanta is not as extreme as in Sarek but it is
rainy even there. A hiking trail with cabins to spend the night makes it a
more appropriate area for less experienced mountain hikers.